Quick Hits: Norris, Aybar, O’Malley

As we wrap up America’s birthday, here are some notes from around baseball…

Tigers southpaw Daniel Norris left his start tonight during the third inning due to a right oblique strain, the club announced. Norris will undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the injury’s severity. The lefty spent a month on the DL earlier this season with a mild spinal fracture and he missed roughly a month last season with a similar oblique injury. Detroit already suffered a significant pitching loss earlier today when Jordan Zimmermannwas placed on the 15-day DL with a neck strain. Norris has a 4.85 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 13 innings of big league action this season.

Erick Aybar has been receiving some trade interest, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Twitter link). Aybar hit his first homer of the season today, and entered Monday’s action hitting .323/.405/.415 over his first 74 plate appearances since returning from the disabled list. Aybar drew some attention as a veteran trade chip for the rebuilding Braves during the spring, but an incredibly poor start to the season cost him his starting job and obliterated his trade value. Even with his recent hot streak, Aybar is still hitting just .226/.282/.286 over 241 PA this season.

Utilityman Shawn O’Malley has been a valuable part of the Mariners roster this season, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune writes. O’Malley has played every position except pitcher, first base and catcher in 2016 (and he’s Seattle’s emergency catcher) while also providing depth as a switch-hitter, though he has just a .600 OPS over 71 plate appearances. With O’Malley backing up several positions, the Mariners have been able to get by with a three-man bench and carry an extra bullpen arm.

I sure hope we move Aybar. Anything in return at this point would be great. Shoot, even just unloading some of his contract would be great. It is nice to see him get his act back together, but the Braves have too many SS prospects waiting for their time to shine anyway.

I don’t know if you’re serious. Not much gets me to actually respond to a comment here. But wow dude. That’s some wicked kool-aid you’re sipping on.

Why on earth would Seattle trade Walker? I’d still rather him then what you’re offering. Zunino catcher of the future, hopefully, if they fix him. Aybar? They have Marte whose young and club controlled for years. Peterson needs to continue to rebound, that’d be selling low. Lewis was JUST drafted. Okay man, you’re just trolling. There’s no way any of that makes sense even in MLB The Show.

Some of the players could be useful and help, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t mind Vizcaino l, Lord knows Seattles bullpen needs some help. But, that trade offer. I’m sorry… actually, no I’m not sorry. It’s just flat out ridiculous.

You have to give Chris an ‘A’ for persistence, as I have never knocked him for continuously trying. Actually I know some sales organizations that would love to employ him because he doesn’t allow negativity to discourage him and he constantly tries.